你看起来真不错
nǐ kàn qǐ lai zhēn bù cuò
To say "you look nice" in Chinese, use 你看起来真不错 (nǐ kàn qǐ lai zhēn bù cuò).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that their appearance is attractive or pleasing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "you look really not bad". The component 不错 (bù cuò) means "not bad," but it is used here as a positive compliment to mean someone looks good.
Which one should you use?
While 不错 (bù cuò) literally translates to "not bad," in this context it functions as a standard, positive way to say someone looks good or nice. If you are speaking to a woman and want to be more specific by emphasizing her beauty, you can use 你今天看起来很漂亮 to say "you look very beautiful today."
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 真 (zhēn) acts as an intensifier meaning "really" or "truly" to strengthen the compliment.
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ kàn qǐ lai zhēn bù cuò
Did you know?
- In many Chinese social contexts, a compliment like 你看起来真不错 is often met with a polite denial rather than a 'thank you'. The person may respond by saying 哪里哪里 (nǎ lǐ nǎ lǐ) to show modesty.
- The word 漂亮 (piào liang) used for 'beautiful' originally referred to things that were 'clever' or 'skillfully done' rather than just visually attractive.
- A common way to compliment someone's appearance is actually to comment on their clothing rather than their face, using phrases like 你穿得很合适 (nǐ chuān de hěn héshì), meaning 'you are wearing it well'.
Examples in context
- 您看上去很漂亮／帅气。You look very pretty / handsome.
- 您打扮得很好看。You are dressed very nicely.
- 你看起来真好看。You look really good-looking.
- 你穿得很帅／漂亮。You are dressed very stylishly / beautifully.
- 你看起来真不错。Nǐ kàn qǐlái zhēn bùcuò.You look really nice.
- 今天你看起来真不错。Jīntiān nǐ kàn qǐlái zhēn bùcuò.You look really nice today.
- 穿这件衣服，你看起来真不错。Chuān zhè jiàn yīfú, nǐ kàn qǐlái zhēn bùcuò.In this outfit, you look really nice.
Example conversation
Wei and Yuting meet at a cafe.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，你看起来真不错！Wěi, nǐ kàn qǐlái zhēn bùcuò!Wei, you look really nice!
- 伟 Wei谢谢，雨婷。你也很漂亮。Xièxiè, Yǔtíng. Nǐ yě hěn piàoliang.Thanks, Yuting. You are also very beautiful.
- 雨婷 Yuting你换了新发型吗？Nǐ huànle xīn fàxíng ma?Did you change your hairstyle?
- 伟 Wei是的，谢谢你的夸奖。Shì de, xièxiè nǐ de kuājiǎng.Yes, thank you for the compliment.
